The Hindu : Sport : Sachin, Ganguly — turning the clock back

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Sachin, Ganguly — turning the clock back

S. Dinakar

An old combination re-unites to conquer new frontiers

— Photo: AFP

ENDURING PARTNERSHIP: Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar have revived old memories with scintillating opening stands in the NatWest series.

London: Sachin Tendulkar is turning the clock back. Sourav Ganguly is revealing the feisty nature of his cricket. Together, they continue to create havoc.

It has been a sizzling Indian summer in England. And an old pair is conquering new frontiers.

India has won three matches so far in the NatWest ODI series and each of the victories has been marked by a century partnership between Tendulkar and Ganguly under natural light.

Now, The Lord’s beckons.

Terrific duo

The terrific duo put on 113 in 19.3 overs at Bristol, 116 in 19.4 overs at Leeds, and 150 in 22.2 overs at The Oval. The innings was given momentum and a solid foundation laid.

And there have been clear role definitions. Tendulkar has been the aggressor, Ganguly has mostly held his end and rotated the strike. Of course, this sweet timer has produced the odd big hit.

In the 113-stand at Bristol, Ganguly made 39. In the 116-run association at Leeds, Tendulkar scored 71.

And in the 150-run partnership at The Oval, Ganguly notched up 53 even as he watched Tendulkar cut loose. The figures tell the story about this right-left combination that continues to work.

Emotional journey

However, the numbers do not speak about the emotional journey of the two veterans — Ganguly is 35 and Tendulkar, 34 — on what most likely is their last tour of England. They want to make a statement, leave the Old Blighty in a blaze of glory.

There are rumours flying thick and fast here about Tendulkar’s imminent retirement from one-day cricket. However, the maestro has denied them although he had confessed to feeling the strain physically, with the gaps between matches and series becoming shorter in the hectic domain of the ODIs.

During his captivating onslaught at The Oval on Wednesday, he was hampered in the latter stages by a bout of cramps. The manner in which he battled on, enduring the pain, reflected his hunger.

It is remarkable that Tendulkar has retained his motivational levels after 18 years of international cricket. It’s no longer about money or fame — It’s about pride.

Astonishingly, Tendulkar is batting in the manner in which he used to waltz in the mid-90s, when he was a destroyer of attacks. His 344 runs from six innings in this series have come at an average of 57.33 and a stunning strike-rate of 88.20.

The maestro’s batting has been underlined by balance, timing and precision. He has picked the length quickly to transfer his weight to the front or the back foot in a jiffy, met the ball with the sweet portion of the willow, and found the gaps on either side in the Power Plays with consummate ease; both Tendulkar and Ganguly can exploit the field restrictions.

Tendulkar is also batting with a great freedom of mind. The enjoyment is back in his cricket and the strokes have flowed. From the middle, his spirit and passion gleam.

Perfect pair

The Tendulkar-Ganguly pairing is more than just a right-left combination getting together. Ganguly is much taller, which means the bowlers have to alter their lengths as well. And their strengths are different; Ganguly is exceptional through the off-side, Tendulkar’s leg-side range can leave the opposition helpless.

It’s not surprising that the duo has 20 century opening partnerships in ODIs. This pair of contrasts — the essence of a successful opening pair — can hurt.

Ganguly has been quieter than Tendulkar in this series — his 234 runs have come at an average of 39 at a strike rate of 73.81 — but he has played his part wonderfully well. The southpaw has been a tad slow only when compared to Tendulkar’s blitzkriegs.

The pitches for the ODIs have mostly favoured the batsmen and the England pace attack has been dented by injuries. But then, you cannot take any credit away from Tendulkar and Ganguly.

Old soldiers ... they never really die.

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